Blog

At Ignite Tulsa last month, I talked about “Why Passion Doesn’t Change Anything.” I wanted people to come away with the idea that passion, by itself, doesn’t accomplish change, or make love true, or make you money. In other words, don’t be passionate; be effective. And now, those of you out there (and you know who you are) who have an idea, a passion, a… something you know can succeed, have your chance to go be effective.
The 2010 Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit award is now open for submissions. You need not be based in Tulsa to enter or win, but you have to be willing to open or expand into Tulsa if you’re from somewhere else.

The reason this program is so worth it for people who have an idea, or who have a business that needs some help to get to the next level is the process… going through it helps entrants clarify their vision, prepare a business plan that works and gets the attention of potential investors, loan officers, etc., and the 25 entrants who advance to the semifinal stage get invaluable (free!) business coaching to help them launch and grow. And that’s how raw passion gets transformed into something that matters… and makes money.

Sponsored by Spirit Bank and Tulsa Community College, the program is in its fourth year and will award this year’s winner $30,000. Two runners-up are also selected and awarded smaller cash prizes.

Don’t wait… if you have an idea, or a business that needs to grow (and you’ve been in business for less than 5 years) the time is now. Go unleash your big idea and start using your passion to be effective.